july 2009 stone newsletter, stone church of willow glen

8/8/2019 July 2009 Stone Newsletter, Stone Church of Willow Glen

1/8

The STone newSSTone ChurChof willow Glen, PreSbyTerian uSa July 2009

THE STONE NEWS, PAG

Stones Chancel Choir celebrated their wonderul year o singing on Sunday, June 14, ollowing their lastappearance beore summer break. Top: Rev. Ken Henry with organist Joyce Rhodes, and substitute organiand choir member, Donald Foster; Heather Henry; Lizanne Oliver and Mary Johnson; Director o MusicMinistry, Nancy Kromm, with Parish Artist Lyn Johnson. Bottom: Emily Meacham and Derk Johnson; MiriRowan, Derk, Fran Van Hook-Robie, Martha Mamula, and Mary Burne; Center: Harley Farms Goat Chees

See you inthe Fall!

Summer Worship at StoneYouve probably noticed lately that

every Sunday in worship at StoneChurch, there seems to be somethingnew and different going on.

Indeed, on a Sunday morning at9:30, you may have come to wor-ship expecting to hear the same oldsermon and to sing the same oldhymns, but when you arrived, chil-dren were being baptized, colorful

banners were being hung, youth werebeing commissioned for service, anda lot of new people you had neverseen before were sitting in the pews.

Of course, we still broke breadaround the table and prayed our Pres-byterian prayers, but there were otherthings in the mix, too guitar music, amens quartet, a choir concert, a shortvideo of Ken interviewing people indowntown San Jose ...

... and one particularly specialSunday morning, our guest preacher

was John Muir, the Father of OurNational Parks (and if you missed thatSunday, you can view it on our churchwebsite,www.stonechurch.org).

A few Sundays back, someonecommented to me, When I come tochurch these days, I never know whatto expect ... and thats wonderful. As we head into the next two

months, with travel plans, patio sales,

and possibly a well-deserved vaca-tion, I wanted to share the summerworship schedule with you.

I certainly cant promise thissort of pre-planning every month whats the surprise in that? butI thought you might want to mark

your calendar, since we have somevery special guest preachers coming toStone Church.

May this summer refresh your spiritand give you time for reflection.

- Blessings, Ken Henry

Su Whp Schdu

Juy 5 (Communion)4th of July themeKen preaching [Philemo

Juy 12 Ken preaching[Colossians 1:15-20]

Juy 19 Ken preaching[Colossians 2:1-15]

Juy 26 Jody Meacham,Elder, preaching;Rev. David McCreath assisti

Augu 2 (Communion)

Rev. Bob Bowles preachinRev. Marge Palmer assistin

Augu 9 Rev. David Beampreaching; Ken assisting

Augu 16 Ken preachin[1 Kings 8:1,6, 10-11, 22-3041-43]

Augu 23 (Worship andPicnic at History Park) Ken preaching

Augu 30 Ken preachin[Song of Solomon 2:8-13Mark 7:1-8][Sermon text is in bracket
http://www.stonechurch.org/http://www.stonechurch.org/


2/8THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 2

This month we offer a few new booksand a review. We encourage you to visitthe book cart and the library.

- Sue Williams, Library Coordinator

Book Review by Sue Evans:My Four Years with Angkar byChamroeun Yean (Biog YEAN)

Cham Yean, amember of StoneChurch, was study-ing biology atthe University ofPhnom Penh in1975 when KhmerRouge soldiersmarched into the

city after winning a long civil war.

Cambodian people expected freedomand peace to come soon, but suddenlythey were forced to leave.

Cham and her friends had to walkout of Phnom Penh, giving up valu-ables such as watches and bicyclesalong the way.

This story covers Chams experienceliving under the new regime, workingin the rice fields and cooking. There

was much sickness and uncertainty,and she mentions her grief when someof her close friends died.

Cham was introduced to Christianityin 1977 and took it very seriously, pray-ing to the Lord to take care of thoseclose to her. Christianity was frownedupon by the government, so she and

others had to be very careful aboutpracticing it. She was finally taken toa U.N. camp and allowed to come tothe U.S.

The book has several pictures, includ-ing one of Cham with her childrenRatha and Amanda. I encourage every-one to see what they can learn fromChams story.

New books foryoungermembers:

Mousekins ABCby Edna Miller(1st Bks Mil)

Flush by CarlHiaasen (YA Hia)

New to ourspecial sections:

Beethoven: His Spiri-tual Development byJ.W.N. Sullivan (Biog

BEETHOVEN)

Here on Earby Alice Hoffm(F Hof)

The End of Nature

by Bill McKibben(Ecol 304.2 McK)

On our adult sidChristian Spiritu

ity: Gods Presenthrough the Ages Richard Woo(242 Woo), given Rebecca Kuiken

Church Library: An Autobiography by One of Our Own: Cham Yean

Join us for Adult Study, every Sundayat 11 am in the Fireside Room. As youcan see, the classes are richly varied.

Please note that there is no class onAugust 23, which is the annual Worshipand Picnic at History Park.

July 19 - Aug 16: Summer Lectures:Archaeological Search for Jesus

Travel to the 1st Century world inwhich Jesus grew up, preached, workedwonders, gathered followers and, final-ly, was crucified and buried.

Our host for this archaeologicaljourney to Galilee, Jerusalem, andthe Judean Desert is Hershel Shanks,editor ofBiblical Archaeology Review.

July 19 - Beginnings in GalileeJuly 26 - Fishing in GalileeAug 2 - Qumran and the Dead Sea

Scrolls Aug 9 - Jerusalem FootstepsAug 16 - Jerusalem Tombs

Aug 30: The Faith of FlanneryOConnor (Ken Henry, E. Meacham)

Please join Ken and Emily as they leada discussion of the works of the fasci-

nating Southern author,Flannery OConnor.

Participants are askedto read two short stories

(Revelation and A GoodMan is Hard to Find)prior to the class.

Fall Preview:The Sunday morning Adult Study

program will offer the following twoseries beginning in mid-September.

Exploring the Old Testament, Part IA thirteen-week series, Exploring the

Old Testament, Part I, will be led by KenHenry, Barbara Bracey, and the threeParish Associates: Marge Palmer, DaleBracey, and David McCreath.

Perhaps you have never read theOld Testament. Perhaps you have not

looked at the Old Testament since ywere a child in church school. Perhayou have unanswered questions abostories in the Old Testament. Perhayou just want the opportunity to stuthe Bible with Ken and some of toutstanding group of retired ministewho worship with us.

Whatever your background, tseries is for you.

The Historical JesusThe second series, running in par

lel, will be The Historical Jesus, bason The Historical Jesus forDummies, a new book inthe popular For Dummiesseries.

The first class, on Sep-tember 13, will be ledby the books author,Catherine Murphy, whoteaches in the Religious Studies Depament at Santa Clara University.

- Pat Mag

Adult Study: Jesus, Flannery OConnor, and a Serious Look at the OT


3/8

THE STONE NEWS, PAG

Sometimes our light goes out but isblown into flame by another humanbeing. Each of us owes deepest thanks

to those who have rekindled this light.- Albert Schweitzer

I owe deepest thanks to thoseof you at Stone Church.

Before I started my calling hereat Stone Church, I had a uniquejob one that I treasured andthought was my perfect vocation Childrens Activity Coordinator ata local hospital.

I learned so much from the chil-dren and their families about com-passion, courage and love. However,those above me were very uncom-fortable with my willingness to putmyself out there, wanting me to keepmy distance and not get personallyinvolved.

I totally understood all the rea-soning behind the requests to keepthings professional, but it didntseem right to me. Children wouldseek me out and run to me for a hug.Parents would cry on my shoulder asthey shared the latest medical emer-gencies. Desperate parents wouldask me to open the computer roomduring off hours to send emailsto their loved ones at home, or to

open the pantry to let them grab aquick meal before returning to thehospital.

All were against the rules. I am nota rule breaker, so working there wasalways difficult constantly beingtorn between regulations and whatI believed to be right. With a very

heavy heart, I started to look foranother job.A close friend said, Why dont

you apply for the job at Stone?Me? I said. Then I thought, why

not me?So I applied, and the rest is history.

So you see, I owe deepest thanksto you at Stone Church you whohave rekindled this light.

Thank you, Mary Jo

My Deepest Thanks

by Mary Jo Blazek,

Childrens Ministry Coordinator

Stones wonderful children, having fun in church School!


4/8

THE STONE NEWS, PAGE 4

Rev. Tom Coop, in the June issue ofThe Monarch Messenger, notes that withrecent budget cuts, there will be morepeople in ourcommunities needing ourhelp, and that we need to take seriously

Jesus call to feed the hungry, clothethe naked and shelter the homeless.

So, the question is: how will our

church respond to what Jesus is askingus to do? The truth is we dont needmore programs we need more peopleliving out what it means to be Chris-tian. Times are tough, and we can eachmake a difference.

Here are upcoming StoneWorksevents where you can contribute yourtime, talents, and goods:

August 8 - Pack-A-Back (Pack back-packs for children at Sacred Heart)

September - Prepare Sat. lunch forCommercial St. women and children

September - Participate in the MensMission Worktrip to Zephyr Cove

October - Be a driver or shopperfor the Commercial St. childrensshopping trip

October - Help with the Mens Mis-sion Fall Book Sale, or buy a book!

November - Go on the Mens Mis-sion Worktrip to Westminster Woods

December - Help with the GivingTree (for disadvantaged families) And dont forget these ongoing,

always-active opportunities:Bring food on the first Sunday ofthe month for Sacred Heart.Bring gently worn clothes for theClothing Barrel for Sacred Heart.Bring Survival Sack items for thehomeless at Sacred Heart.

Bring travel toiletries for thehomeless at Sacred Heart.Bring recyclable cans and bottles(money goes to the Heifer Fund).Bring quarters for the quartertube (also goes to Heifer Fund).Bring cell phones and chargers forNext Door Solutions.

Participate generously in the fourannual special monetarycollections. - Maureen Ryan

A BIG Thank You!Did you catch the BIG thank you

from Refugee Ministry Advocates ElsaAmboy and Melissa Kreisa also in TheMonarch Messenger? Stone donated 37welcome backpacks and the fillings fornew refugee arrivals. Catholic Charitiesis expecting roughly 150-200 people toarrive in the next four months. Melissaand Elsa said our backpacks arrivedjust in time --- Catholic Charities wasdown to their last one!

Historic Shift to LGBT EqualityIn an historic shift, a record number

of Presbyterians voted to remove thebarriers of marital status and sexualorientation for otherwise qualifiedcandidates to serve as ministers, eldersand deacons. But the vote to ratify theamendment, passed by the General

Assembly in San Jos in June, still fellshort of the simple majority of the 87presbyteries out of 173 needed to ratifyAmendment 08-B.

This national vote continued untillate May, but the final tally was 78presbyteries Yes and 95 presbyteries

No. Some are encouraged that presbyteries that voted No the ltime this came up for a vote in 20changed to vote in favor this time!

Our own Presbytery of San Jos votaffirmatively both times, and our dcussions were collegial and respectf

The total votes cast across all the pr

byteries were nearly equal: 49% of prbytery commissioners voted in favof 08-B. So it is clear that changecoming to the church, and the convsations continue. - Dale Brace

Help Open SpacesRemember our

wonderful EarthStewardship Eventin April at Rancho Caada del OOpen Space Preserve?

Sixty-two Stone Church memband friends participated in multiphikes, learned about wildflowers awildlife, and picnicked.

The California Supreme Courecently ruled that a $20 parcel fee hbeen collected in error by the SanClara County Open Space Agensince 2001, and now they are orderto return the money. But, when yreceive a letter soon advising you hoto apply for a refund of approximat$130 per residential parcel, you m

just want to throw it away. By doinothing, you will support acquisitiand preservation of open space. Threally need the money, so please cosider helping them out.Visitwww.openspaceauthority.o

for more information.

StoneWorks: Opportunities to Help; Shift on LGBT Vote; Open Space Reque

The Adventures FromThe Book of Virtues, a car-

toon video series based onThe Book of Virtues byWilliam J. Bennett, will beoffered to our children forthe summer release, as ourchurch school staff takes amuch-deserved break.

Each video presents sto-ries that portray the resultsof living a particular virtue.

Anchoring the series areyoung Zach and Annie and

a cast of animal characterincluding Plato, a wise bu

falo; Socrates, a wily bobcaAristotle, a prairie dog; anAurora, a red-tailed hawk.

The virtues of work, compassion, friendship, faithgenerosity, humility, self-dicipline, courage, honesty, anresponsibility will be coverefrom July 5 to September 6with a volunteer chaperone

Contact Rosaleen Zisch tvolunteer or for more details.

Summer Release for Children

At press time, Vacation Church School was just coming to aclose ... here is a preview photo o the great time being had byall ... well have complete coverage in next months newsletter.
http://www.openspaceauthority.org/http://www.openspaceauthority.org/


5/8

Stars and Stripes Forever!Our national anthem! And if yourelucky, the 1812 Overture!

Speeches! Fireworks! Picnics!Family Reunions!

Yes, a busy month ... Enjoy!

Four of Stones Presbyterian Women will be attending the

2009 Churchwide Gathering of Pres-byte r ianWomen ,

July 11through15, in

Louisville, Kentucky. DianaLim, Sheri Cunningham, Clau-dia Hamm, and Lea Lawrence

are gearingup for thisevent. Welook forward

to hearingtheir reports

when theyreturn. (Leais on thep l a n n i n gteam for thisevent.)

Do not forget your coupons.Yes, school is out, but we can stillsupport the program for next year.Our emphasis this month is on

Cheerios and Goldfish Crackers.

For the most part, PW is takinga break during July. However, FairTrade coffee, tea, and chocolatewill be sold on the third Sundayof the month. (See the PW Sched-ule, below, for additional ongoingmeetings.) You will want to mark your

calendar for theAugust Brunch at

9:30 am on August 22 and theSan Francisco Theological Semi-nary Auxiliary Bible Study onSeptember 12. There will be moreabout both of these events in thenext edition.

PW Schedule for July:Note that circles will resume in

September.

Lunch Bunch, 11:30 am,July 14, Taiwan Restaurant

Fair Trade Sales, 10:30 am,July 19, Social Hall

Focus Group, 9:30 am,July 21, Liz Shanderas home

Prayer Shawl Ministry, 4 pm,July 23, Fireside Room

Book Group I, 1 pm, July 27, Liz Shanderas home,reading Dewey, by Niki Myron

Book Group II, no meetingBible Study with the

Rev. Marge, Church Library,

August 27 - Catherine Amos

THE STONE NEWS, PAGE

PresbyterianWomen

Great gifts can come in all sizes! Mantimes, we think that extra giving (abovpledging) means a significant gift for a spcific cause, event,or program. But

thoughtful smallergifts can make a dif-ference, as well.When I sold my

house ten years ago,I sent a check tothe choir for sheetmusic and guest musicians. It wasnt hugbut it felt wonderful to show our choir homuch I appreciate them.A few years ago, instead of exchangin

birthday and Christmas gifts with some omy friends, we agreed to contribute to thbuilding fund.

My mothers memorial service was held Stone Church. Mom loved and supporteour back-to-school clothing program for thchildren. In her obituary, I requested thmemorial gifts be directed to Stone Churcfor that program.

Be creative! Give with your heart. Threwards are great.

Please contact anyone on the Endowment Committee (Susan Bedolla, MarStone Bowers, Bob James, Judi Kaiser, Rut

McCreath, Ed Tablak, and Gary Weiss) wityour ideas or questions. - Susan Bedoll

Gifting Stone ChurchAn Investment

with Great Returns

Session held its last meeting ofthe 2008-2009 program year onTuesday, June 16; its next meetingwill be the third Tuesday of August.

In the meantime,there will be instal-lation and ordina-tion of a new class

of Elders (as well asof new Deacons), orientation for newElders, and, later on, a meeting ofElders and Deacons, and a retreat forthe new Session.

In his Pastors Report, Ken Henryannounced the names of three Coun-selors-in-Training: Gordon Meacham,Dan Willis and Ellen Bailey. Theywill work with Stone Church youthin special projects over the summer.

Session approved the painting ofa mural on the south wall of thepreschool room to create a sacredspace for the children. ChildrensMinistry Coordinator Mary Jo Blazektold Session that it was important tocreate warmth and life in this room.

Session spent some time discuss-

ing a proposal from the StoneWorksCommittee to explore co-sponsorshipof a refugee family. Tony Muiruri,from Kenya, has attended churchfor several years and now wants tobring his family here. Doug Wil-liams, a guest speaker, said that thepaperwork for the family is in pro-cess, although the exact time of theirarrival is unknown. This is a majorproject to undertake and would

require time and work from a numberof persons. Session gave permissionfor exploring, within the congregation,whether this responsibility should beundertaken.

Session learned that the churchsinsurer, Covenant InsuranceCompany, has gone out of business.

The Budget and Finance Commit-tee will arrange for new insurance;however, the church has coverage forthe interim.

In preparation for the 2009-2010fiscal and program years, BruceRaby was elected President, andDavid Jaffer, Vice President, of theCorporation, and Alice Thorn wasselected as Clerk of Session.

-Alice Thorn, Clerk of Session

SessionBeat


6/8


Just before they left for a two-weektrip to visit Dans mother, Jean andDan Raby learned that HeatherHenrys mother ran a historicalmuseum very close to where theywere going.

So, in addition to visiting Dansmother, in Longview, Washington,on the occasion of her 93rd birthday,they also visited Rex and Nancy BellAnderson at the Knappton Cove Heri-tage Center, near Astoria, Oregon.

The center is a nonprofit organiza-tion committed to the preservationand interpretation of the history at theEllis Island Columbia River Quaran-tine Station historic site.

Nancy met the Rabys at the centerand gave them a fantastic tour of theold Quarantine Hospital or Pesthouse asit was called. Heathers grandparentspurchased the site in 1950 and estab-lished the Knappton Cove Camp. Itbecame a sports fishing campground

and moorage. In 1995, the center westablished, and in 2005, it receivnonprofit status. Anyone traveling to the Astor

Oregon, area should ask Heather hoto contact her mother for a tour of thistorical site.

The town of Astoria also has a woderful Maritime Museum, which pvides a great look back into the histoof Columbia River shipping.

- Dan and Jean Ra

Have you met new member, Donna Bellyet? If you havent, you are in for a treat!

Here is a shortintroduction, in herown words:

I was born andgrew up in Troy,NY. I was raised ina small Reformedchurch where my

father was an elder,my uncle a deacon,and my mother andaunts held vari-ous offices in the

womens group. Ijoined the choirin sixth grade andhave been a churchchoir memberalmost ever since.

In college, I attended mostly Epis-copal and Congregational (UCC)

churches, and when my family movedto San Jose in 1975, we joined FirstCongregational Church of San Jose.

Ive always been drawn to contempla-tive practices and have been a memberof the World Community of Chris-tian Meditation for over 20 years. Thatdrew me to the Stone Taiz services,

which I have attended periodically overthe past 10 years.

My nursing career has been a missionand calling to ministry for me. It hasled me in interesting and challengingexperiences. I have worked in hospitalnursing at El Camino Hospital, withHospice of the Valley for 10 years,and with ACTS for the Homeless andInnVision. Ive also set up and casemanaged an HIV/AIDS clinic in Fre-mont for low income clients.

Im currently working for OConnorHospital in the parish nurse depart-ment. Three programs are my current

challenges at the hospital: case manament for retired priests in the Dioceof San Jose; health education/screeings/community building at CathoCharities Senior Eastside Neighbhood Center; and assessments/traings/support groups/informatioreferrals/health education for CathoCharities Day Break Adult Day CaCenter/Caregiver Respite and Seni

Transportation Program.I also have a small practice in Heali

Touch. As a certified holistic nursehas deepened and enhanced my woand my faith.

My two children are grown and longer living in San Jose. My son ahis family are in Georgia, my daugter and her family in Colorado. Msister and my 94-year-old mother astill in New York, so the church famat Stone Church has become mlocal family. - Donna Be

MeetNew

Member,Donna

Bell

Rabys Visit Washington, Oregon, Tour Heathers Moms Museum!

Let: Heathers ather and mother, Rex and Nancy Bell Anderson,with Dans sister, Judy Kirby o Longview, WA, and Jean Raby;Above: Nancy Bell Anderson inside the museum.


7/8

THE STONE NEWS, PAGE

Here are some more greaphotos rom the End-o-

the-Church-Year ChoirParty! Thanks so muchto Dan Raby or taking

them. The choir willreturn in the all ... rested

and ready to sing!


8/8


The Stone Church of Willow GlenPresbyterian Church (USA)

1937 Lincoln Avenue(corner of Clark & Lincoln)San Jose, CA 95125-3499

Website:www.stonechurch.org

Church Ofce:phone: 408-269-1593

fax: 408-269-8412

Rev. Dr. Ken Henry, PastorClaudia Hoagland, Ofce Manager

The Stone News Staff:June Tablak, Editor Emeritus, Church MousEmily Moak Meacham, EditorPat Magee, Rhonda Lakatos, Jody MeachamFred Oliver, Lizanne Oliver: Assistant EditoSylvia Snyder, Chief PhotographerMary Jo Blazek, Dan Raby: Addl. PhotosFred Gardner, Catherine Amos,Charlotte Dickson, Sylvia Snyder,

Jan Keifer, Jerry Keifer: Production

The Stone Church Patio Sale iscoming soon! Be sure that July 17,4 to 8 pm, and July 18, 9 am to3 pm, are on your calendar.Were looking for donations of

household goods, antiques andtreasures (new gifts

to be recycled),clothing, furniture,sporting goods,yard tools and dec-

orations, toys, books, electronics,jewelry and accessories.

A bake sale will take place bothFriday and Saturday. Expect tofind homemade pastries, jams andjellies, and condiments samplethese treats during the sale, or takethem home to your family.

On Friday night, enjoy ourstrolling musicians as you selectchoice items for purchase.

On Saturday, childrens activi-ties will include face-painting andlots of toys to shop for. As yourchildren are entertained, you can

wander through our backyarClothes Horse area, treat youself to accessories to go with younew outfit, or select just the righmirror to put in your home.All this wonderful and practica

shopping can take place only if yo

volunteer to help make our sale success:

Have time to work on eitherFriday night or Saturday?Sign up on July 12.Have donations? Bring themto the Church School Winganytime from July 12 to 16.Need a pickup? Contact JudiKaiser.

Want to sort/display goodsfor sale during the week(either daytime/evening)?Sign up on July 12.

Join us at this fun-filled sale witha community focus ... wonderfubargains ... gently used items .good food ... and plenty of friendlfaces. See you there! - Judi Kaise

Get Ready for Stones Patio Sale!

Leland Wong is organizing a StoneChurch group to participate in the

Westminster Woods Trek-a-Thon (afundraiser for the camp) on Saturday,September 26. Please contact Leland ifyou are interested in this very fun andworthwhile event.

For more information, go to:www.wes tmins terwoods .org/Trek-a-Thon.php

Ken Henry has been doing someblogging at the Stone Church Ningwebsite (www.ning.com).

He notes, If other folks want to talkto me through this site, I will do mybest to respond.

Want to Blog with Ken?

Interested in a Trek?

Potluck on July 26To honor all of our recent newmembers, there will be a Salads ofSummer potluck on Sunday, July 26,starting at 11:30 am. Just bring yourfavorite salad or dessert to share.

PatioSale

Vacation Church School, Clean Water or all Gods Children, was just nishing up at presstime ... we were able to grab a ew preview photos ... but stay tuned or much more

coverage in next months edition oThe Stone News.

Mary Jo Blazek, Childrens Ministry Coordinator, would like to extend a BIG thank you to allstaf, parents, and children or a abulous week. She said, It was an enchanting week lled

with love, riendship and gits. Watch or the photo album on Stones website coming soon!
http://www.stonechurch.org/http://www.stonechurch.org/http://www.westminsterwoods.org/Trek-a-Thon.phphttp://www.westminsterwoods.org/Trek-a-Thon.phphttp://www.ning.com/http://www.ning.com/http://www.westminsterwoods.org/Trek-a-Thon.phphttp://www.westminsterwoods.org/Trek-a-Thon.phphttp://www.stonechurch.org/

july 2009 stone newsletter, stone church of willow glen

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